Press Room
Recent AILA Press Releases
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End the Shutdown so Good Faith Negotiations on Immigration Can Begin
After President Trump’s speech today, AILA Executive Director Ben Johnson expressed skepticism that “the President is attempting to use his own failed policies as bargaining chips” and instead should re-open the government so “lawmakers can begin serious talks to reform our immigration system.”
Judge Finds Attorney General’s Gutting of Asylum Protections Unlawful
AILA President Anastasia Tonello and Executive Director Benjamin Johnson responded to today’s ruling striking down key portions of then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ decision in Matter of A-B-, which restricted asylum for victims of domestic and gang violence.
Trump Administration Sows Chaos, Risks Lives with “Remain in Mexico” Policy
AILA responds to the government’s new policy that would force most asylum seekers who have passed a preliminary screening to remain in Mexico pending a full hearing before an immigration judge, and calls on them to immediately restore asylum seekers’ ability to pursue their claims inside the U.S.
AILA Quicktake #253: Trump Administration’s New Proclamation on Asylum
AILA's Policy Counsel Jason Boyd discusses President Trump's proclamation on asylum and its impact on the southern border of the United States.
Trump Administration Issues Advance Copy of Rule Intended to Gut Asylum Seekers’ Due Process Rights
AILA responded to the advance copy of an interim rule issued by the Trump administration that would gut asylum seekers’ due process rights; a presidential proclamation is expected Friday, November 9, 2018.
Trump Places Partisan Politics Over Real Solutions in Muddled Speech on Immigration
AILA responded to President Trump’s announced plans to rewrite American asylum law and procedures and construct tent cities where families and asylum seekers will be detained for years. Details of the plan were not offered, but will reportedly be announced next week.
Fastcase Partners with the American Immigration Lawyers Association to Publish New Journal
Announcing the new AILA Law Journal, AILA Executive Director Ben Johnson noted, “All of our 15,000+ members are hungry for new and innovative resources that they can turn to for insights and advice that will help them serve their clients and advance the understanding of immigration law.”
The Need for an Independent Immigration Court Grows More Urgent As DOJ Imposes Quotas on Immigration Judges
As DOJ begins implementing case completion quotas, requiring immigration judges to finish 700 cases per year or face disciplinary action, AILA voices its opposition to these quotas and renews its call for the creation of an independent Article I immigration court.
Video: AILA Calls for Immigration Court Reform
In this video, AILA Executive Director Benjamin Johnson explains the need to establish an independent immigration court system.
New Rule Would Impose Class-Based Limits on Immigration, Bringing Harm to Hardworking Families
AILA condemned the proposed “public charge” rule because it “would prevent many immigrants from securing lawful permanent residence and remaining with their families…simply because they previously received some type of basic health care support, nutrition assistance, or other vital services.”
Attorney General’s Concerted Effort to Strip Immigration Judges of Judicial Independence Continues
In response to the AG's decision in Matter of S-O-G- & F-D-B-, which will prevent judges from terminating a case except in exceptionally narrow circumstances and waste the court's time and resources, AILA again called on Congress to create an independent Article I immigration court.
AILA and NALEO Educational Fund to Help Thousands of Aspiring New Americans on National Citizenship Day
AILA and NALEO Educational Fund proudly sponsor AILA Citizenship Day, taking place on Saturday, September 15, 2018; now in its twelfth year, this event brings together AILA attorneys, NALEO affiliates, law students, paralegals, interpreters, and community members to help those seeking to naturalize.
AG Sessions’ Remarks Emphasize Need for Independent Immigration Courts
AILA responds to remarks delivered by Attorney General Jeff Sessions to a group of 44 new immigration judges.
Trump Administration Lines Up End Run Around Protections for Detained Children
The Trump administration announced plans to release proposed changes to regulations that are intended to terminate the Flores Settlement Agreement, a decades-old court settlement put in place to ensure the safety and proper care of children in immigration detention.
The Use of Coercion by U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Officials Against Parents Who Were Forcibly Separated From Their Children
AILA and the Council announced the filing of a complaint with the DHS Office of the Inspector General and Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties on the pervasive and illegal practice by DHS officials of coercing separated mothers and fathers into signing documents they may not have understood.
Complaint Details Coercive Tactics Used by Immigration Officials on Separated Parents
AILA and the Council filed a complaint with the DHS Office of the Inspector General (OIG) and Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL) documenting a pervasive, illegal practice by DHS officials of coercing separated mothers and fathers into signing documents they may not have understood.
AILA and Council File Complaint Regarding Coercive Tactics Used by Immigration Officials on Separated Parents
Resources on the AILA and American Immigration Council complaint, filed with the DHS OIG and CRCL regarding a pervasive and illegal practice by DHS officials of coercing parents into signing documents, ostensibly waiving their legal rights, including their right to be reunified with their children.
Press Call on Complaint Regarding Coercive Tactics Used by Immigration Officials on Separated Parents
On a press call, representatives of AILA, the Council, the Dilley Pro Bono Project, and Annunciation House discuss a complaint filed by AILA and the Council with DHS’s OIG and CRCL regarding coercive tactics used by government officials against parents who were separated from their children.
Trump Administration Further Undermines Judicial Independence
AILA responds to Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ decision in Matter of L-A-B-R-, which limits the discretion of immigration judges to grant continuances.
Immigration Judges Spotlight DOJ Hijacking of Court Independence
Today, NAIJ accused EOIR of violating the Constitution, federal statute and the NAIJ’s union contract by stripping cases away from a judge; Jeremy McKinney, AILA Treasurer noted the grievance “puts the spotlight on how fundamentally compromised our immigration court system has become.”
AILA: U.S. Must Reunify Families, Stay Their Removal, and Provide for the Return of 400+ Parents Deported Without Their Children
AILA calls for an immediate stay of the removal and release from custody of all of the victims of this family separation strategy so the families are afforded the chance to be represented by an attorney and to file claims for relief if they are eligible.
DHS Instruction to Asylum Officers Violates U.S. and International Law
Late on July 11, 2018, USCIS and ICE issued guidance redefining core principles of America’s asylum laws which will have far-reaching implications for asylum seekers, refugees, and others.
New USCIS Policy Will Needlessly Push Thousands More Cases into the Deportation Machinery
In this statement, AILA highlights how the new guidance published by USCIS regarding Notices to Appear (NTAs) will needlessly push thousands more cases into the deportation machinery, further clogging the already backlogged immigration court system.
Supreme Court Upholds Muslim Ban, Strengthens “Invisible Wall”
Reflecting on the 5-4 Supreme Court decision today, AILA President Anastasia Tonello stated that AILA will continue to “work to ensure that fairness, due process, and the free exercise of religion and expression are reflected in our nation’s immigration laws and policies.”
AILA: Expanding Family Detention Is Not the Answer to Cruel Family Separation Policy
Responding to the Executive Order regarding family separation, AILA President Anastasia Tonello stated, “The barriers to due process that AILA attorneys have encountered at every detention facility only underscore what needs to happen: both family separation and family detention must end.”